When enjoying the wild places of Baker and surroundings, practice “Leave No Trace” principles to preserve these remarkable places. It’s also important to always carry the “10 Essentials” when traveling in the backcountry.
Leave No Trace Principles
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Stay on the trail! (Life thrives in the dirt and sand surrounding trails, so it is important not to go off trail.)
- Be considerate of other visitors
Enjoy Wildlife, Respectfully!
A wide variety and number of animals live in Baker and surrounding mountains, like bear, elk, deer, mountain goats, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, pika, eagles, owls, hawks—just to name a few!
Wildlife Viewing Ethics
- Give the wildlife their space. Use those binoculars!
- Avoid disturbing nesting and denning areas, rookeries, and calving grounds. If the parent is forced to flee, the young become vulnerable to predators and the elements.
- If you find what you believe to be an orphaned or sick animal, leave it alone. Often the parents are hidden close by and waiting quietly for you to leave.
- Restrain your pet at all times. Don’t let your dog chase wildlife. And always clean up after your pet.
- Do not feed wildlife. Animals that become habituated to handouts can eventually become nuisances, losing their instinctive fears. Often the only way to take care of the “nuisance” animal is extermination.
- Learn to recognize signs of alarm and leave if an animal shows them. Watch for raised ears, skittish movements, or alarm calls.
- While driving, be especially alert during dawn and dusk.
Be Bear Safe
Seeing a black bear is a memorable experience. If you want the experience to be positive rather than negative, follow these tips:
- Keep a clean campsite. Store food and garbage in closed containers and vehicles, out of sight.
- Never put food scraps in the campfire—it attracts bears and skunks.
- Don’t keep food, shampoo, or anything that smells in tents or sleeping areas.
- Store stoves and Dutch ovens in a vehicle or secure place when not using.
- When camping in the backcountry, hang food and garbage from a tree limb at least 10 feet (3 m) from the ground and 5 feet (1.5 m) from the tree trunk. The tree should be at least 100 yards (91 m) from your sleeping area.
- Some bears also target motor oil, insect repellent, liquor, and other things that look like food.
Invasive Species Prevention
Don’t Give Noxious Weeds A Free Ride
- You can spread noxious weeds from your clothes, equipment, and animals. These – weeds rapidly replace native plant species and destroy ecosystems.
- Learn to recognize noxious weed species and report their location to the local Forest Service office.
- Make sure your vehicle, OHV, mountain bike, and animals are cleaned before you come into the forest.
- When using pack animals, carry only feed that is certified weed-free. Within 96 hours before entering backcountry areas, feed animals only weed-free food.
- If you find a hitchhiker noxious weed, remove it and store it in a plastic bag until you can burn it in a campfire. Don’t leave it on the ground where it can hitchhike again or take root.
Beware Aquatic invasive species:
Drain, Clean, and Dry your watercraft!
- Invasive mussels form dense, destructive colonies that encrust almost any underwater surface.
- They can be transferred to uncontaminated waters without boat owners even knowing.
- All boaters who operate paddlecraft, including inflatable versions of kayaks, rafts, and stand up paddleboards, will be required to stop for inspection and purchase a Waterway Access Permit. Failure to show the permit to law enforcement can lead to a $115 fine.
- Get more info from the Oregon State Marine Board.
Backcountry Travel and Dispersed Camping Ethics
- When in the backcountry, travel and camp on durable surfaces. Where possible, stay on rock, gravel, dry grasses, or snow. In general, keep your campsite at least 200’ away from water, trails, and other campsites.
- Follow “Leave No Trace” principles. Dispose of waste properly. If you pack it in, be sure to pack it out. Deposit human waste in catholes dug 6” to 8” deep and at least 200’ from water and trails. Or better yet, use a WAG bag or human disposal waste bag.
- Wash your dishes at least 200’ from water (soap degrades water quality) and scatter strained dishwater.
- Leave what you find: This includes plants and other natural objects, as well as cultural/historical artifacts.
- Practice a culture of leaving it better than you found it. This keeps our natural spaces clean and pristine for all to enjoy.